Good Mail Week

Some holiday cheer in my mailbox this week! I first heard about Wilder Quarterly from my friend Darcy and when she picked up a copy this past summer on our Portland adventures, I was able to peek through it a bit. I've been going through it slowly, savouring the words and find that it's quite stimulating. Another package arrived from a dear friend in Hong Kong with some goodies, including these adorable earl grey macaron face masks. Can they get any cuter? These are the treats that have been making working in retail during the holidays a bit more bearable!

this weekend

Vancouver is keeping true to it's nature, and we have seriously gotten an abundance of rain. It's the last day of my weekend and keeping in tune with one of my constant goals (to save money) I try and prep food for the next few work days. Elaina's post on carrot cake made me crave it, and I decided to try my hand at making it from scratch. For some reason, I always buy carrot cake and even have made it from the box a few times over the years, but never attempted to make it from scratch. To my surprise, was super delicious! I just adapted a simple recipe from All Recipes. I cut down the sugar, added tidbits of pineapple, threw in some coconut flakes, walnuts + extra spices, and used part whole wheat flour. I think that it could have used some yogurt or apple sauce because I would have liked it to be a teeny bit more moist. Oh, and I decided to omit the frosting all together because I find even with reducing the sugar in most recipes, they are still almost too sweet.

Carrot Cake - adapted version

- 3 eggs
- 1 cup of brown sugar
- 3 cups of grated carrot
- 1/2 cup of oil
- 1 ½ cup of all purpose flour
- ¾ cup of pineapple (either crushed already or chopped up fine)
- 2 tsp of baking powder
- 2 tsp of baking soda
- 2 tsp of cinnamon
- pinch of nutmeg, clove, & salt
- handful of roughly chopped walnuts & organic coconut flakes ( I probably would have used pecans, but I didn't have any on hand)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, mix all ingredients together (do not overmix). I baked mine in a loaf pan for around 40mins, until a toothpick came out completely clean. Let cool, and devour!  I might try and grate some lime zest in next time too. Maybe 

PS: This has been the perfect music to listen to while baking and knitting in pj's.
PPS: I am so thankful that the worst my family had to deal with was downed trees in PA, but know that others weren't so unfortunate.

Wishlist

I just put together a little something of unnecessary items that have been on my mind lately. A wish-list of sorts! Even though I'm definitely paring down on things I own this year, it never hurts to do some wishful thinking!

1. a subscription to The Gentlewoman - I have heard so much good stuff about this magazine, but haven't had much luck locating it near my house!

2. small leather Baggu pouch - Lately a little pouch is all I take with me when I'm on my break at work, and this one is both stylish and functional.

3. Diptyque candles - What girl doesn't want a Parisian candle, especially one that smells like roses? Yes, please!

4. Odette arrow bracelet - I like the simplicity of this cuff style bracelet but it's unique enough when you investigate a bit more closely.

5. Object and Totem vessel - Always gravitating towards handmade ceramics.

6. a cozy sweater - the one in the picture is from Acne - but I think another trip to the local thrift shops are in order. Last time I went I found the most perfect hand-painted recipe box and a basket to house all of my wool.

BEING COZY

All I think about lately is being COZY! Wishing for all my days to be filled with comforting warmth as these temperatures outside begin to drop and as on queue the PNW has been hit with rain most of the last few weeks. I'm pulling out all my sweaters, tights and warm socks. Most nights at home include dozens of mugs of tea.  Some of my favourites right now are chrysanthemum and a blend of lavender coconut tea! I even have my electric kettle set up in my bedroom! When fall & winter come around and I tend to stay indoors, I also tend to become slightly craftier. A unperfect cable knit scarf is coming around as well as tons and tons of polymer clay jewels! Does anybody have cheap & easy ideas for more crafts I can play around with this winter? Oh one more thing, I have been trying to fill the kitchen with some fall goodies once a week, but I keep defaulting to the most delicious pumpkin bread with walnuts. You guys, you have to make it! The recipe is below. STAY COZY, EVERYBODY! 

Recipe for Pumpkin Bread / Muffins

1 cup flour
1 tsp b. powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 eggs
8 oz (1 cup) pumpkin
1/4 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of brown sugar packed
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Oil/butter your pan. Let back 17mins in muffin form, or about 45-50min in loaf form (poke with a stick and make sure it comes out clean).

Lawn Route: Volume 1

Lawn is a small village located in Central Pennsylvania, close to where my husband has lived and grown up most of his life. The drive through Lawn is frequent for him, and over the years for me as well on my visits. Here you see gentle rolling hills, and more hills beyond. Farmland that extends swiftly across these hills, with so many different shades of green that you can't help but become mesmerized by their beauty.



Lawn Route: Volume 1 is a independent musical project, with songs written by Don Barnes and accompanied by Shane Garland, Scotty Hoon and John Fiaschetti. The album embodies an immense amount of emotions and certainly comes from a labour of love for the art.

If only everybody was able to watch Don as he brings these songs to life. The way he engages with his guitar to create these mesmerizing sounds. Here is one of my favourite songs from his album, Gamin, named after the character in Les Misérables.



If you have a minute, all the songs are available for preview and purchase on iTunes, here. Physical pre-orders are available on Big Cartel. As well, the Lawn Route facebook page can be found here. I hope this brings a bit of happiness to all of you!

PS: I am the proudest wife!

WE NEVER SLEEP

Sarah Beaver makes the most precious jewels. Currently, she has been creating hair jewels out of precious and semiprecious materials. It's incredible to see these clips and ponytail holders take their shape when she's done with her magic. I snagged a single baby orchid over the summer that I wore in my hair to a wedding (the last image is mine). They are even more beautiful in person than I could imagine! You can take a look at the ones she has available on her Etsy shop, here.

BOWEN ISLAND

A few days ago, I took a quick day-trip to Bowen Island with my parents. From Horseshoe Bay, it s only a 20-minute ferry ride across to the island. We were able to drive around much of the island and be surrounded by trees while glimpsing ocean views as we passed by the sites of homes on the hills. All the houses here are so unique and full of charm!

We stopped at Tunstall Bay and sat by the ocean for a little while. There, My mom and I picked a bunch of blackberries and gobbled them right up! The weather was perfect, a little nippy but the sun was out and shining. Then we grabbed a bite to eat in Snug Cove before heading back on the ferry home. I'd love to go back soon and stay at one of the many B&B's on the Island!